WATCH NOW: Despite gray day, car show draws hundreds as group honors veterans, assists severely wounded soldiers | Local News
SOMERS – Dozens gathered for a noontime ceremony as an organization that assists severely wounded soldiers honored military veterans presently serving, those who have served and the men and woman who died for their country at the annual car show held at Petrifying Springs Park on Sunday.
The Southern Wisconsin All Airborne Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association played host to its 19th event, which featured more than 320 cars on display from contemporary Corvettes to vintage Studebakers, and many vehicle years, makes and models in between. This is the second year of the car show, a fundraiser for the association, has been held at the grounds of the popular beer garden.
A Boy Scouts of America color guard presented the colors and Miss Kenosha Jenna Zeihen sang “The Star-Spangled Banner”, national anthem. Bugler Jim Reynolds played a rendition of “Taps.”
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During the brief ceremony, the Jack Gibbons, the association’s chairman, presented a check to Bo Reichenbach of Billings, Mont., a retired US Navy SEAL. On July 17, 2012, Reichenbach, 34, lost both his legs when an improvised explosive device detonated during a mission his team was conducting as a part of his duties in Afghanistan. He spent nearly two years recovering from his injuries.
“I stepped on an IED while serving with SEAL Team 2 out of Virginia Beach,” said Reichenbach, who uses a wheelchair and was joined by his service dog beside him as he spoke with visitors thanking him for his service. Reichenbach said he appreciates organizations like Southern Wisconsin All Airborne Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association.
“It’s really all about continuing to serve and continuing to take care of our veterans and help them out with their needs and their family life and giving back,” he said.
At home, Reichenbach currently works part-time with a plumbing company prefabricating shower valves and helping his father with construction. He also stays busy taking caring of his 14-year-old son, along with his girlfriend and her two daughters, he said.
While he was in Wisconsin, it was Reichenbach’s first visit to Kenosha and he said he was enjoying his stay.
“I love it,” he said of the area, which is similar in population size to Billings. “Hometown feeling. good people.”
Dan Boring, the Association’s ambassador also presented a check to Kenosha resident Jim Smith, a Vietnam War veteran who is also Zeihen’s grandfather.
“Everybody knows him by the name `Smitty’,” said Boring during the ceremony. “Jim’s going through a few tough times right now and we wish him all the best.”
Boring saluted Smith, who saluted back as he accepted the check.
Fec’s Place owners, Wally and Carolyn Miller presented a check for $15,435 to the Southern Wisconsin All Airborne Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division Association. The establishment holds an annual pig roast to raise funds for the association.
“It’s always a pleasant surprise to find out how much was raised for us,” said Gibbons. Following the ceremony, Gibbons said that donation was the largest to date from Fec’s fundraising efforts.
“We would really just like to let everybody know how appreciative we are during our pig roast every year,” said Carolyn Miller. “It seems to be on the back burner nowadays. There’s so much going on, but our men and women are still fighting for our freedoms and we need to support them, especially when they get home.”
The car show inducted three Kenosha-area car enthusiasts, Gary Christofferson, Jerry Wilkomm and Gary Smith as its “Living Legends,” during the event.
Overcast skies with a mild threat of rain didn’t deter an enthusiastic crowd that joined in festivities and marveled at the variety of vehicles.
“The crowd’s fantastic. I mean, for the spectators to come out on a cloudy day and the potential of rain and all of the various cars, I know how some car owners are with the classic cars … they’re not (always) willing to get them wet, so, for them to take a chance on this to support this cause, it’s outstanding,” Gibbons said. “We really appreciate it.”
UPDATED IN PHOTOS: 2022 AMC Homecoming Week events and shows in Kenosha
Kenosha Homecoming Car Show draws thousands to Kennedy Park
Greg Voss, of New London, brought a bronze 1981 Scrambler to Saturday’s Kenosha Homecoming Car Show. Thousands attended the event at Kennedy Park, which featured hundreds of classic vehicles.
Daniel Gaitan
Kenosha Homecoming Car Show draws thousands to Kennedy Park
Tracy McCarthy brought her pink 1959 Nash Metropolitan to Saturday’s Kenosha Homecoming Car Show. Her car won the History Center’s Choice Award.
Daniel Gaitan
Nash Ice Cream Social
Colton Howell, 4, enjoys his ice cream during an ice cream social on Friday at Nash Elementary School as part of the AMC Homecoming Car Show events.
SEAN KRAJACIC photos, Kenosha News
GREMLINS AT JEFFREY
Bill Cressman, of Kitchener, Canada, holds a large, stuffed “Gizmo” from the movice “Gremlins” as he exits the passenger seat of his wife’s Gremlin during an AMC Gremlin car show at Jeffrey Elementary School on Thursday.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
GREMLINS AT JEFFREY
Bill Cressman, of Kitchener, Canada, places a small “Gizmo” in his wire’s Gremlin during an AMC Gremlin event at Jeffrey Elementary School on Thursday, July 28, 2022.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
GREMLINS AT JEFFREY
The Gremlin event at Jeffrey Elementary drew dozens of Gremlins from around the country and beyond its borders Thursday afternoon. Gremlins with license plates from all over North America were part of the event, which is part of the 2022 AMC Homecoming Car Show.
SEAN KRAJACIC photos, Kenosha News
GREMLINS AT JEFFREY
Jeff McKee, of Marion County, Ind., right, looks at the engine of Don Rayburn’s racing Gremlin during the AMC Gremlin event at Jeffrey Elementary School on Thursday, July 28, 2022.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
GREMLINS AT JEFFREY
Gremlins are parked in Jeffrey Elementary School’s parking lot for an AMC Gremlin show at Jeffrey Elementary School on July 28.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
GREMLINS AT JEFFREY
A large, stuffed “Gizmo,” sits in a driver seat of a Gremlin during an AMC Gremlin event at Jeffrey Elementary School on Thursday, July 28, 2022.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
AMC AT RUFFOLO’S
Visitors check out classic AMC cars during the opening event for the AMC Kenosha Homecoming Car Show at Ruffolo’s Special Pizza 2 on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
AMC AT RUFFOLO’S
Lee and Nick Mele, of Kenosha, check out classic AMC cars during the opening event for the AMC Kenosha Homecoming Car Show at Ruffolo’s Special Pizza 2 on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
AMC AT RUFFOLO’S
Visitors check out classic AMC cars during the opening event for the AMC Kenosha Homecoming Car Show at Ruffolo’s Special Pizza 2 on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
AMC AT RUFFOLO’S
Classic AMC cars pull into the parking lot during the opening event for the AMC Kenosha Homecoming Car Show at Ruffolo’s Special Pizza 2 on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
AMC AT RUFFOLO’S
T-shirts were for sale during the opening event for the AMC Kenosha Homecoming Car Show at Ruffolo’s Special Pizza 2 on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
AMC AT RUFFOLO’S
Classic AMC cars pull into the parking lot during the opening event for the AMC Kenosha Homecoming Car Show at Ruffolo’s Special Pizza 2 on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
AMC SWAP MEET
Bob Wunrow, center, of the American Motors Club, places antennas for sale during the AMC swap meet at Kennedy Park on Friday.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
AMC SWAP MEET
Vince Heck, center, and Wayne Alanzio, right, both of Big Bend, carry body parts during the AMC swap meet at Kennedy Park on Friday.
SEAN KRAJACIC, Kenosha News
AMC SWAP MEET
Visitors and vendors check out the wares during the AMC swap meet at Kennedy Park on Friday.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
AMC SWAP MEET
Phil Hemken, of Pleasant Prairie, left, looks over his display of AMC service manuals during the AMC swap meet at Kennedy Park on Friday. Hemken kept the service manuals from the private collection of his father’s now-closed AMC museum which was located in Williams, Iowa.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
Nash Ice Cream Social
There were a number of AMC cars lined up at the ice cream social on July 29 at Nash Elementary School as part of the AMC Homecoming Car Show events.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
Nash Ice Cream Social
Garrett Aiello, 3, looks at a Nash vehicle during an ice cream social on Friday at Nash Elementary School in Kenosha.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
Nash Ice Cream Social
AMC cars are lined up in car show fashion during an ice cream social on Friday at Nash Elementary School as part of the AMC Homecoming Car Show events.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
AMC PARADE
A classic AMC car makes its through Downtown during Friday’s AMC Homecoming parade.
SEAN KRAJACIC, KENOSHA NEWS
AMC PARADE
There were plenty of photos taken by those watching Friday’s AMC Homecoming parade in Downtown Kenosha.
SEAN KRAJACIC, KENOSHA NEWS
AMC PARADE
A line of classic AMC vehicles stretched down the streets in Downtown Kenosha on July 29 during the 2022 AMC Homecoming parade.
SEAN KRAJACIC, KENOSHA NEWS
AMC PARADE
Classic AMC cars paraded Friday through Downtown and along the harbor area before ending at the Kenosha History Center.
SEAN KRAJACIC photos, KENOSHA NEWS
AMC PARADE
Classic AMC cars make their way through Downtown and harborside during the parade on Friday.
SEAN KRAJACIC, KENOSHA NEWS
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